Treatment options for patients with pretreated metastatic breast cancer

Abstract

Patients with breast cancer are increasingly being exposed to anthracyclines and taxanes either during perioperative treatment or during initial treatment for metastatic disease. Because drug resistance and cumulative toxic effects might prevent the repeated use of these agents, there is a clear need to develop new treatment options. So far, a gold standard has not emerged for the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer who have been pretreated with anthracyclines or taxanes. Gemcitabine plus vinorelbine versus vinorelbine monotherapy in patients with metastatic breast cancer previously treated with anthracyclines and taxanes: final results of the phase III Spanish Breast Cancer Research Group (GEICAM) trialPatients with metastatic breast cancer assigned gemcitabine and vinorelbine had better progression-free survival compared with those assigned vinorelbine alone. However, this finding did not translate into a difference in overall survival. Although toxicity was manageable, patients in the combined group had more haematological toxic effects. These factors should be taken into account when deciding which chemotherapy patients should receive. Full-Text PDF